After SC stay order, 82-year-old woman resumes Santhara

Bikaner: An 82-year-old woman, who was on fast for over one month, publicly resumed her 'Santhara' today after the Supreme Court stayed the Rajasthan High Court decision declaring the Jain religious ritual of voluntary fast unto death a penal offence.

Badni Devi, a resident of Gangashahar area here took the resolution of 'Santhara' on July 17 though the ritual was socially undertaken on July 25, said Jain Mahasabha secretary Jain Lunkaran Chajed.

Earlier on August 10, when the Rajasthan High Court had held 'santhara' as illegal making it punishable under section 306 and 309 of IPC related to abatement of suicide, she continued her fast albeit secretly and family members called it 'tapasya'.

Today, after the Supreme Court's stay order, the family members publicly announced that she was on 'Santhara' under which she was living without food. Last month, she has voluntarily asked her family members to undertake the Santhara.

She was ill for some time and also on oxygen support for few days which was removed on July 15. People are visiting her in her house. The woman has three sons besides grand children.